Zelenskyy names India among 47 countries over Russian recruitment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named India among 47 countries whose citizens, he said, are being used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. He urged the governments of these countries to prevent their nationals from being drawn deeper into the conflict.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russia was using citizens from countries including India, Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan and South Africa.
“We know that Russia uses citizens of 47 countries in its war,” Zelenskyy said.
‘Do not let Putin drag you into this war’
Zelenskyy directly addressed representatives of the countries named in his speech, saying some of their citizens had reached Russia through what he described as “deception and tricks”. “You know what Russia is doing with your people, your citizens. Take care of them and do not let them end up on another front,” he said.
“Do not let Putin drag you into this war… Limit his room to act, limit his money, limit his war,” Zelenskyy added. The Ukrainian president did not provide a country-wise breakdown or specify the number of Indians he was referring to.
He also claimed that Ukraine had received requests concerning prisoners of war from some countries whose nationals were fighting for Russia. Zelenskyy further said foreign nationals had been killed on the battlefield.
“We also see people dying on the battlefield who are not Russians — people from your countries, 47 countries, who ended up in Russia through deception and tricks,” he said.
What India has said about its nationals
Zelenskyy’s remarks come against the backdrop of India’s efforts to secure the release of its citizens serving in the Russian armed forces. New Delhi has acknowledged that Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian military and has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during an MEA briefing on September 1 that India had information about 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of these, 139 had been discharged and 51 had died, while the remaining cases were being pursued by the Indian government.
“This issue has been discussed at various levels,” Misri said, adding that the Indian embassy in Moscow was regularly monitoring efforts for the release and repatriation of the nationals. He said the matter had been discussed between India and Russia “at various levels on various occasions”.
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